Poet and Contemplative

“From the abundance of his spirit [the poet] pours out secrets and mysteries rather than rational explanation” (Prologue, The Spiritual Canticle).

“In contemplation God teaches the soul very quietly and secretly, without its knowing how, without the sound of words” (Chapter 39, The Spiritual Canticle).

In the spirit of St. John of the Cross, this blog reflects on the contemplative experience and the poetic experience, sometimes separately and distinctly, sometimes in common, as mutually enlightening.

I will also post to this blog, from time to time, my own poetry, with a short interpretive note attached.

~ Fr. Bonaventure Sauer, OCD

Prayer in poetry

Father of all, who watch over all,Though Your name catches in our throatsWhenever we call to You,Yet You are near to us, we know,And gladness fills our days.May sunlight fall gently upon the earth;May thick grass obediently spring up.

You have given us the need of bread—Give us fields to till, harvests to reap.

We sin, as do our comrades,Yet we seek no retribution on each other,Praying that You, too,Seek no retribution on us.Help us walk uprightly, never proudly;And since our souls are weak, unsheltered,Protect us from summer’s heavy heat,Winter’s bitter cold. 2.

When in shame our spirits sink before You,Look kindly upon us,For we, too, look kindly on allWhose spirits sink in shame before us.And never forsake us, we pray,No matter where the world may take us,For deep in our hearts we knowThat there is no saving god but You.

3.

Holy Father, transcending all things,Maker of the world to come,Your words bestow silence and peace;We hear them, our minds soar within.Give us knowledge; let it linger longStretching out before us, leading usTo where You would have us go.

You feed us with Your mannaThat falls freely, like grain before geese;Yet how we flourish, even to fullness.

Mercy awaits us, if only we would step forthFrom the forest’s gloom into Your sunlit meadow.Then, as we journey on,Let our path be always through forgiveness.May the devouring beasts know fear of usAnd run quickly away.